This old city by the desert is under UNESCO's protection of world heritage.

Shiites equivalent of Kaba in the city of Mersed : The Imam Reza Mosque. There is a strict camera search while entering the complex, yet everybody takes pictures with their cellphones inside. A controversial situation just like several other examples in Iran.

Mescid-i Mosque in Isfahan. German and Italian tourists in the background. The number of foreign tourist has increased this year with the eased sanctions. However people's buying power is still very low with the exception of the Mollas.

A carpet bazaar in Isfahan resembling ours. Lots of carpets; but I have not seen any buyers.

Once this was the residence of a rich family in Shiraz. This area was converted to a public park after the revolution.

Isfahan-Iran May, 2014. In this beautiful country people live unhappy lives.The river once ran under this beautiful bridge has dried out due to the construction of a new dam, just like in other historic sites.!!!!

The Hamam ( Turkish Bath) Museum in Isfahan. It was an advantage to have Reza, originally from Iran, a computer scientist from the U.S. as my tour companion. Actually Iranians are very tourist friendly in particular to Turkish people.